MYRModel Year Report

1983 Chevrolet Cavalier

○ Not enough data
1983 Chevrolet Cavalier
RENDERED 2026-08-02T16:45:08.328Z

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cavalier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1983 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 18 complaints 1987: 24 complaints 1988: 12 complaints 1988 1989: 43 complaints 1990: 55 complaints 1991: 55 complaints 1992: 134 complaints 1992 1993: 146 complaints 1994: 212 complaints 1995: 270 complaints 1996: 503 complaints 1996 1997: 540 complaints 1998: 345 complaints 1999: 240 complaints 2000: 315 complaints 2000 2001: 243 complaints 2002: 196 complaints 2003: 678 complaints 2004: 330 complaints 2004 2005: 287 complaints 2005
1983: 3 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19821
19833
19848
19854
198618
198724
198812
198943
199055
199155
1992134
1993146
1994212
1995270
1996503
1997540
1998345
1999240
2000315
2001243
2002196
2003678
2004330
2005287

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 3 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 3 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FLAMES BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC OVERFLOW TANK WAS MELTED AND THE PLASTIC CAP MELTED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20000522

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 3 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 3 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 3 total reports mentions: vehicle speed control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD

NHTSA ODI report, 19960425

PLASTIC VALVE MELTED/LODGED AGAINST THE THROTTLE PLATE, CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.

NHTSA ODI report, 19960425

STEERING

1 of 3 total reports mentions: steering.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19821011 — fuel system, gasoline

POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR AT THE THROTTLE BODY INJECTION FUEL FEED PIPE CONNECTION ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES.

Remedy: THE FUEL FEED LINE FITTING BOLT AND TWO WASHERS WILL BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT NO COST TO OWNER.

Campaign 82V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19830427 — suspension

THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT WHEEL, BRAKE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY, MAY COME LOOSE AT ITS MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS IS DUE TO POSSIBLE INADEQUATE WELDING OF THE BRACKET.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT ASSEMBLY AT NO COST.

Campaign 83V042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19831020 — service brakes, hydraulic

THE BRAKE PROPORTIONER VALVES MAY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS WOULD ALLOW BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND WOULD RESULT IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ALL SUSPECT VALVES.

Campaign 83V105000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19841203 — PE (closed 19850322)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 19860801 — EA (closed 19870601)

SEAT TRACK LOCK

I 19860905 — DP (closed 19861219)

POWER STEERING FAILURE

I 19860912 — DP (closed 19861222)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

I 19861216 — EA (closed 19880919)

POWER ST. ASSIST

I 19861216 — EA (closed 19870807)

SUDDEN ACCEL

R 19870624 — seats

THE METAL FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK AROUND THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER STUD OF THE DRIVERS SEAT, ALLOWING THE STUD TO SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR.

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE FLOOR PAN ANCHOR BAR AT THE LEFT FRONT OUTER SEAT ADJUSTER POSITION OF THE DRIVERS SEAT.

Campaign 87V079000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19871117 — engine and engine cooling

INTERNAL CORROSION OF PULSAIR CHECK VALVE ASSEMBLY COULD PERMIT EXHAUST GAS TO MELT THE PLASTIC SHUT OFF VALVE AND DRAW VALVE PIECES INTO THE AIR CLEANER AND THROTTLE BODY.

Remedy: REPLACE PULSAIR CHECK VALVE AND SHUT OFF VALVE WITH NEWLY DESIGNED VALVES.

Campaign 87V165000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1983 Chevrolet Cavalier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 82V096000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 83V042000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 83V105000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V079000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V165000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 1997 ■ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.